Rafael Puente

Analyst and Commentator

Former goalkeeper and coach, Rafa Puente, joined ESPN in 2007 as a soccer analyst for ESPN Deportes in the U.S. and ESPN International. His main responsibilities include co-hosting studio shows Fútbol Picante and Los Capitanes.

Puente made his media debut on the radio in 1986. He was then hired to cover the 1986 Mexico World Cup by Imevisión (later TV Azteca) and remained with the company for various periods until 2007. He has covered every World Cup since 1986 (Mexico ’86, USA ‘94, France, ‘98 Korea / Japan ’02, Germany ‘06 and South Africa ’10.)

Puente served as a professional goalkeeper for the Mexican National Team and Mexico’s First Division teams Club America and Atlante from 1968-1976). In 1974, a knee injury forced him off the field, but he continued to be passionately involved in soccer, coaching numerous teams in Mexico’s First Division, including Pachuca, Club Atlante, and Tecos UAG. During the 1992-93 season, Puente stood alongside Ricardo La Volpe providing technical direction for Atlante, who were crowned league champions after defeating Monterrey in the final.